The Loveliest Village

Auburn University nutrition scientist’s research on fetuin is finally being paid off and may result in therapeutic treatment for individuals with diabetes or obesity. Suresh Mathews, an assistant professor in the Department of Nutrition and Food Science, has been researching fetuin and its role as a protein found in blood for nearly 10 years. With the overwhelming growing rate of obesity and diabetes in America today, this research is critical step to improving the health of our society.

Fetuin, which is a protein secreted by the liver, is shown to be associated with metabolic syndrome, obesity and diabetes, when there are increased levels of it present in the body. In the lab, Mathews and his colleagues like to think of fetuin as a “bad guy�; having too much of it can lead to a worsening of insulin action. As fetuin enters the circulation system, it acts as a timing-off mechanism for insulin action; this is unhealthy because it is not good for insulin to be on at all times in the body.

“Since fetuin is the ‘bad guy’, our approach was to decrease or ablate fetuin levels. We show through our research that ablating (taking away) fetuin levels improves insulin action, prevents weight gain, and maintains insulin sensitivity through aging,� says Mathews.

Today, diabetes and obesity are labeled as the twin-epidemic. Earlier diabetes was a disease in adults, but it is not uncommon today within children as more are being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. Majority of people diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes are overweight because their insulin can not get inside their fat and muscle cells to produce energy. Mathews states, “As diabetes is continually increasing in Americans today, much of it may be attributed to obesity resulting from poor nutrition, a sedentary lifestyle and potential nutrient-gene interactions.� There are 20.8 million adults and children in America who live with diabetes everyday. Every 21 seconds, someone is diagnosed with diabetes, states the American Diabetes Association.

Also, the public-health implications of being overweight have taken on greater importance with such a large percentage of the population weighing more than what is healthy. Statistics show that 60 percent of adult Americans weigh too much, and that 17 percent of American children and teens are obese too, states MSN.com. “Overweight� is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of between 25 and 29.9, and “obese� as having a BMI of 30 or higher. Not only can obesity lead to diabetes, but it is also associated with heart disease, high blood pressure, breast and colon cancer, arthritis, gallbladder disease, and sleep apnea.

A goal of Mathews’ research is to determine exact mechanisms involved in how turning fetuin off works to improve insulin action and obesity resistance. Therefore in order to understand the first steps of fetuin and reach this goal, Mathews and his colleagues have been researching with mice. “Our work on mice and rats have taught us very much about fetuin and how to understand its’ effects on diabetes and obesity,� says Mathews. “Research with the mice has shown us that even when they are fed on a high-fat diet, the ability to turn off fetuin still improves the body’s insulin sensitivity and improves obesity resistance.�

Colleagues that have been a major contribution to assisting Mathews in his research of understanding fetuin’s role are: Teayoun Kim, a postdoctoral fellow in Mathews’ lab, and graduate students James Papizan, Edmond Huang, and Shalini Kaushik.

The next step in Mathews’ research is to examine the phenomenon experienced with the mice on humans. Mathews has some ideas that they have currently been researching and working on. “Being able to test this on humans would depend on identifying a compound within humans that can block fetuin action,� says Mathews.

With thanks to Mathews, his colleagues, the Auburn University Biogrant program, and the American Diabetes Association, this research has increased the knowledge of fetuin’s effects on diabetes and obesity. Mathews and his colleagues are continuing their research with fetuin and are looking for further positive results.

“If we can find a mechanism to block this protein in humans, it could lead to development of a treatment for type II diabetes and obesity,� states Mathews.

Not only has Mathews began a pathway of learning for fetuin, but he has also opened a door that may lead to a treatment for two epidemics that plaque so many American lives.

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